Family
6 Must-See Films Featuring Older Women
All of them are so fun and fabulous!
AARP (Getty Images; Kyle Kaplan/STX Films/Courtesy Everett Collection; Scott Garfield/Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection; Gravitas Ventures/Courtesy Everett Collection)
While I like all kinds of TV and movies, I find myself seeking out shows and films featuring older women such as "Grace and Frankie" and "Hacks." Recently I started rewatching "The Golden Girls," the hugely popular show that ran for seven years, starting in 1995, and won 11 Emmy Awards.
That show didn’t shy away from important issues and focused on themes of representation and chosen family, showing us that older characters could still be modern, savvy and often sexy.
Inspired by "The Golden Girls," here are movies focused on women of a certain age solving problems, getting into scrapes, going on adventures, and being there for each other.
These “Golden Films” may not be the finest works of cinema, but like holiday movies, I don’t care if they’re predictable. It’s their predictable plots and characters that keep us engaged. We need more coming-of-age stories featuring women like me, older, wiser and far from finished.
Many thanks must go to Diane Keaton for her pivotal role in helping get these movies made. There was a natural progression from "The First Wives Club" to "Something’s Gotta Give" to the two "Book Club" films. Out of the six movies I’m featuring, Diane Keaton was in three. She was authentic, quirky, stylish and made every movie better with her presence. Women of all ages miss her deeply.
Book Club (2018): Stars Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen.
(Left to right) Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Bergen in "Book Club."
Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection
Four longtime friends are in a book club which allows them to drink wine, snack, and dish. “Fifty Shades of Grey” is the book of the month. Part of the fun of the movie is seeing how each character reacts, whether it’s going on dating apps, trying to revive their sex life, reuniting with an old flame or taking chances that others may not approve of.
The most cringeworthy scenes in the movie involve Diane’s daughters. They’re shrill, ageist and treat her like a child. However, the film’s silliness, romance, and moments of friendship make it worth watching even as you pray Diane’s children will butt out of her life.
Poms (2019): Stars Diane Keaton and Rhea Perlman.
If you loved "Bring It On," then you’ll enjoy this version of Bring It On At The Retirement Community, aka "Poms." Diane Keaton as Martha, Jacki Weaver as Sheryl, and Rhea Perlman as Alice head a star-studded cast that includes Pam Grier, Celia Weston, and Bruce McGill (who I always think of as D-Day in "Animal House").
The basic premise revolves around Martha enlisting Sheryl’s help to create a cheerleading club at a retirement community and facing pushback from nearly everyone but refusing to give up.
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Older ladies pursuing goals and dreams, sticking together, and getting out of their comfort zones — let’s see more of that.
I’d been put off by the bad reviews, but I enjoyed the film. I loved the message that it’s never too late to chase a dream. When I learned that the movie is based on a true story, I liked it all the more. I applaud this movie for avoiding a false and overly sweet ending.
Queen Bees (2021): Stars Ellen Burstyn, Ann-Margret, Jane Curtin and Loretta Devine.
(Left to right) Ellen Burstyn, Loretta Devine, Ann-Margret and Jane Curtin in "Queen Bees."
Courtesy Everett Collection
Helen (Burstyn) is a widow who moves to the Pine Grove Senior Community temporarily while her house is rebuilt after a kitchen fire she inadvertently set. There she learns that retirement living is a lot like high school: full of cliques and heart-fluttering crushes. While there’s some slight hesitation on Helen’s part, the romance between her and James Caan’s character happens at a clipped speed and shows the sweeter side of former tough guy, Mr. Caan.
I especially enjoyed the presence of these ageless actors, Ann-Margret and Loretta Devine. A duo that like Burstyn and Caan are known for legendary performances.
80 for Brady (2023): Stars Jane Fonda, Sally Field, Lily Tomlin and Rita Moreno. What a cast!
The basic premise is that four older ladies, huge football, Patriots, and Tom Brady fans, decide to go to the Super Bowl. Complications and hijinks ensue, but through it all they learn the importance of never giving up.
One thing that I’ve learned and what seems to be backed up by 80 for Brady is that when you’re around friends your same age, you don’t feel old.
Best quote: “We’re here for you to support you. Isn’t that what friendship is? Where we face the unknown hand in hand.”
Does it help if you love football and Tom Brady? It doesn’t hurt, but it’s not mandatory.
Summer Camp (2024): Stars Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard.
(Left to right) Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard in "Summer Camp."
Roadside Attractions/Courtesy Everett Collection
Nora, Ginny, and Mary are all childhood best friends who went to sleep-away camp every summer but haven’t stayed in touch as much as they hoped. Ginny, a wealthy self-help guru, arranges a summer camp reunion.
The original Parent Trap with Hayley Mills remains one of my favorite summer camp movies (even though the camp part is only about a quarter of the movie), and this one does have a bit of that in its flashback scenes. Some of the most memorable parts of this film are a food fight (to the song, Ballroom Blitz), a pillow fight, and facing their fears with feats like ziplining.
The message of “We have a lot of amazing years ahead of ourselves and can always make time for fun,” resonates with everyone.
Summer Camp was Diane Keaton’s last movie.
The Fabulous Four (2024): Stars Bette Midler, Susan Sarandon, Megan Mullally, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.
The movie tells the story of three friends who travel to Key West, Florida, for the surprise wedding of their friend Marilyn (Midler). One complication is that the character of Lou (Sarandon) is still nursing a grudge about how Marilyn stole her boyfriend while they were in college.
There are a lot of comedy bits, and it’s fun to see Susan do something comic — it’s been a while. I can tell they’re going for an older "Bridesmaids" feel, but it doesn’t quite land. A for effort, though.
Now is a good time to point out that one thing these movies have in common is their incredible casts. Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen, Ellen Burstyn, Sally Field, Kathy Bates, Susan Sarandon, and Rita Moreno have all won Academy Awards — Jane Fonda and Sally Field have won two!
Things haven’t changed that much in Hollywood; older actresses still have a difficult time getting work, though Meryl Streep, 77, certainly continues to forge onward with her roles in the "Devil Wears Prada" films. These Golden movies are an important way we can see ageless and talented women do what they do best. I promise to keep watching them, as I am always inspired.
Which of the above is YOUR favorite film? Let us know in the comments below.
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